Snap-action switches



April 30, 1957 w. L. CHERRY, JR

SNAP-ACTION SWITCHES Filed F eb. 2, 1955 W& 07 I MW, W E f w W M W mmwUnited States Patent 2,790,865 SNAP-ACTION SWITCHES Walter L. Cherry,Jr., Highland Park, Ill., assignor to Cherry Electrical ProductsCorporation, Highland Park,

Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 2, 1955, Serial No.485,694

3 Claims. (Cl. 200-67) This invention relates to simplified and novelimprovements in snap-action switches.

A principal object of the invention is to provide in a snap-actionswitch, a switch blade and an actuator therefor requiring for theireffective operation a relatively low operating force to effectuate snapaction of the switch blade.

Another and equally important object of my invention is to provide in asnap-action switch an arrangement by which a maximum contact pressure isobtained, notwithstanding the application of a relatively lightoperating force to effect the snap action of the switch.

A further and equally important object of the invention is the provisionin a snap-action switch of an actuator capable of overriding the snapaction of the switch, thereby to assure an efli'ective and positivecontact between the contact heads of the switch.

A still further and equally important object of the invention is toprovide in a snap-action switch an actuator and a switch blade relatedto each other in a manner such that upon the slightest movement of theactuator under a minimum operating force the switch blade will beactuated with a snap action.

Other objects will appear hereinafter The invention consists in thenovel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter describedand claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a typical side view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the invention taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an actuator embodied in the invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a switch blade embodied in theinvention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a mounting post embodied in theinvention;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 8-8 ofFig. 4.

The several objects of my invention are accomplished by the preferredform of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, in whichdrawings there is illustrated a mounting plate 10. This mounting plate10 may be formed of suitable non-conductive material.

My improved snap-action switch includes an actuator 11 formed of springmaterial so as to have a predetermined amount of flexibility. One endportion of the actuator has a right angular leg 11 terminating into amounting flange 12 by means of which the actuator is connected to theplate as at 13 by any suitable means and supported with its medialportion 14 in a plane parallel with and spaced from the opposite planeof the plate 10. The free end portion 16 of this actuator is reverselybent to provide an inwardly extending extension 17 spaced below themedial portion 14 and bifurcated to provide opposite fingers 19 whichembrace a post 20, within spaced notches 28 formed in the post. Thesefingers serve to guide the movement of the actuator 11. The post 20 issecured as at 21 in any suitable manner to the plate 10.

The switch blade is indicated at 22. This switch blade is formed ofresilient material and preferably has its intermediate portion 23 offsetwith respect to the opposite end portions of the switch blade 22 todispose the contact head 24 thereof at a predetermined point above aconfronting contact head 25 carried by the plate 10.

One end of the switch blade 22 provides spaced arms 26 terminating intofingers 27 which project into the notches 28. The post 20 providessubstantially V-shaped seats 28' into which the ends 26' of the arm 26are seated to provide a pivotal connection between the switch blade 22and the post 20.

The free end of the switch blade provides an angular extension 29 whichengages the medial portion 14 to limit pivotal movement of the switchblade 22 in the direction toward the actuator 11.

A tension member in the form of an elongated spring 30 is disposedbetween the medial portion 14 of the actuator 11 and the switch blade 22and has one end portion connected as at 31 to the free end of the switchblade 22 and an opposite end portion connected as at 32 to the free endof the actuator 11.

The post 20 provides a terminal 33 to which the terminal of a conductor(not shown) may be attached. The contact head 25 is part of a terminal34 to which the end of a conductor (not shown) may be attached.

The medial portion 14 of the actuator 11 at one end portion adjacent itsfree end portion provides a cam surface 35 which is adapted to beengaged by an actuator cam (not shown) or an actuating button or otheractuating member, through the medium of which force is applied to theactuator 11. When operating pressure is applied to the free end of theactuator, it will be caused to flex downwardly, placing spring 30 undertension. As the point of connection between the spring 30 and the freeend of the actuator 11 passes below the point of connection between theswitch blade 22 and the post 20, the resulting pull on the blade 22 bythe tensioned spring will cause the blade to pivot with a snap action,bringing the contact head 24 thereof into contact with the contact head25. Continued operating pressure on the free end of the actuator 11 willresult in increasing the bearing engagement between the contact heads 24and 25. As will be apparent from viewing Fig. 2 of the drawings, thepoint of connection between the spring 30 and the fere end of theactuator 11 is substantially coincidental with the point of pivotalconnection between the switch blade 22 and the post 20.

By this arrangement, the slightest pressure applied on the actuator 11will substantially instantly effect move ment of the switch blade 22.

When operating pressure is removed from the actuator 11, under itsownresiliency it will return to its initial starting position, moving theparts associated therewith to their original starting position, as shownin Fig. 2.

My simplified and improved snap-action switch may be used in manydifferent environments and for many diferent purposes. It is intendedthat the switch be enclosed in a suitaable enclosure, whenever suchenclosure is found necessary and desirable.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provideda simplified and improved snap-action switch capable of accomplishingwith the highest degree of efliciency the several objects of theinvention. My

improved snap-action switch comprises relatively few parts, resulting ineconomical manufacture.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as come Within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

l. A snap-action switch comprising a non-conductive mounting plate, anelongated resilient actuator having at one end portion a laterallyextending leg. secured to the mounting plate for spacing the medialportion of the actuator from the plate in a plane substantially paralleltherewith, said medial portion having. its end portion opposite said legreversely bent to provide a free end portion extending intermediate themedial portion of the actuator and the plate, a post carried by theplate in spaced relation to said leg, an elongated switch bladeextending laterally from the post in a plane between the medial portionof the actuator and the plate with a free end portion thereof in spacedrelation to the leg and including intermediate its ends a contact head,said post and said switch blade opposite its free end portion havingcooperative means for pivotally supporting the switch blade laterallyfrom the post, an elongated tension member arranged in a plane betweenthe switch blade and the .4 medial portion of the actuator and havingone end portion connected to the free end portion of the Switchblade andan opposite end portion connected to the free end of the reversely bentportion of the actuator, the latter connection being at a pointsubstantially coincident with the point of pivotal support between theswitch blade and the post, and a contact head carried by the plate inalignment with the contact head of the switch blade for engagement withthe latter contact head.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 characterized by the provision ofmeans on the free end portion of the actuator and cooperating with thepost to guide the move ment of the actuator relative to the post.

3. The device as defined in claim 2 in which the post has meanscooperating with the guiding means of said actuator for limiting pivotalmovement of the actuator in a direction from the plate.

References Cited in the file of'this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,274,312 Werner Feb. 24, 1942 2,306,794 Mustee Dec. 29, 1942 2,487,374Riche et al. Nov. 8, 1949 2,508,040 Ransome May 16, 1950 2,728,826Lauder Dec. 27, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 206,944 Great Britain Nov. 22, 1923

